KUCHING, Aug 12 — Malaysia is once again hosting key Asean-China negotiations on the South China Sea, with the 48th Meeting of the Asean-China Joint Working Group on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (JWG-DOC) and the 24th Asean-China Senior Officials’ Meeting on the Implementation of the Declaration (SOM-DOC) taking place here from Monday to Thursday.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said the meetings aim to strengthen the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), which was signed on November 4, 2002, by Asean members and China.
“The DOC reflects the shared commitment of Asean and China to work towards the finalisation of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC), which is envisaged to contribute meaningfully to regional peace, security and stability.
“Under the DOC framework, various cooperative initiatives have been undertaken to build trust and confidence, as well as to promote constructive dialogue in addressing differences,” it said.
The statement said Asean and China are engaged in developing the COC through the established mechanisms of the JWG-DOC and SOM-DOC.
Meanwhile, Wisma Putra said, as Asean chair and country coordinator for Asean-China Dialogue Relations from August 2024 to July 2027, Malaysia also serves as co-chair alongside China in steering discussions on the implementation of the DOC and COC negotiations.
“Malaysia remains deeply committed to ensuring the effective implementation of the DOC by all parties, while advancing a substantive and effective COC that constructively addresses key issues in the South China Sea, and safeguards its sovereignty, sovereign rights and national interests,” it added.
This year, five rounds of COC talks are being held in various Asean and Chinese cities — Jakarta in February, Manila in April, Kuching in August, Singapore in September, and China in November. Malaysia last hosted these meetings in 2019.
Wisma Putra said this year’s hosting reflects the country’s continued commitment to fostering regional dialogue and cooperation under the Asean-China framework, especially in promoting peace, stability, mutual trust, and the peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea.
